Practice report: Defensive players disciplined

Tori Childers got a late start to his USC football career, but will begin his academic work on time.

The freshman from Rock Hill learned Wednesday he had been admitted to USC, a day before the start of the fall semester. Childers, who is expected to play safety for the Gamecocks, received the necessary score on a standardized test he was forced to re-take after a testing agency flagged a previous, qualifying score.

Childers, who attended prep school in New Hampshire last year, watched Wednesday’s practice in street clothes.

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“Tori Childers passed the test. He was very excited,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “I’m happy for him. He’s been through a long road to qualify academically. I’m really proud that he made it.”

The Gamecocks are awaiting word on the status of Atlanta-area safety Tez Simmons, who likely will go to Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy if he is not admitted.

Stock rising

Left tackle Jarriel King. Though King is still learning the position, Spurrier said he expects the Georgia Military transfer eventually to win the starting job.

Stock falling

At least four defensive players were held out of practice and forced to do punitive running for violating team policy: cornerback Carlos Thomas, safety Chris Hail, linebacker Dustin Lindsey and defensive end Byron McKnight.

But Spurrier said that was “not exactly” the reason the players were punished; he declined to comment further.

Injury update

RB Mike Davis (illness, shoulder) practiced for the first time in about two weeks. Spurrier said Davis looked “healthy and ready to go,” but stopped short of naming Davis the starter. DT Marque Hall (knee) and DT Donte’e Nicholls (ankle) were out.

Quote of the day

“We’ve got to give the quarterback some better plays. They covered us like a blanket. Their DBs are covering our wide receivers. We’ve got to try to find a way to get ‘em open because right now we can’t shake some of those guys. … But I’ve got an idea Kenny McKinley can get open if they don’t double-team him,” – Spurrier.

Up next

After wrapping up preseason camp Wednesday, the Gamecocks will take today off and resume N.C. State preparations Friday.

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